For our friends in the Village of Lawrence, let us show you how to troubleshoot common Electric hot water heater issues. The conventional water heater with a tank may not be as sophisticated as the tankless on-demand models. Nonetheless, there is no denying that they is still very popular. Whether the tank is powered by gas or electric, the basic mechanisms of both are largely similar.
In an electric hot water heater model, the heating elements at the upper and lower parts of the tank are powered by electricity. On the other hand, a gas water heater has burners that heat up water from below the tank. Even the conventional water heater, when properly and regularly maintained, can stay functional for a decade and maybe longer. During its lifespan, it is not uncommon for a water heater to suffer from some common issues as follows.
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Problem 1: No Hot Water at All
A water heater that cannot produce hot water is useless. However, it does not always mean that you must replace the unit entirely. That is because sometimes the real culprit is much simpler than you think. The first thing to check is if the water heater has tripped its circuit breaker in the service panel. If the circuit breaker has been tripped indeed, reset the breaker.
The water heater may come back to life once the breaker is turned on, but the “tripping” is never a good sign. There is a real chance that the breaker will trip again. DO NOT keep flipping it back on as this may overheat the wiring, wear out the breaker, and cause more damage to the appliance. Second, also check for damage in the heating elements, thermostat, and electrical wiring. If you are not comfortable doing that, call a professional plumber instead.
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Problem 2: Not Enough Hot Water
If the water heater does produce hot water, but not enough of it to meet your demand, the unit is probably too small. Using multiple fixtures at the same time can also reduce the volume (as well as pressure) of hot water coming out of each. As a rule of thumb, you need to have a water heater that has 25% more capacity than your typical use. For example, a 100-gallon water heater tank is best used in a household that uses 75-gallon of hot water every day. It is advisable to use a licensed plumber to calculate your daily usage, and the size unit you require.
If the demand is higher than the tank can supply, do not use more than two hot water fixtures at the same time. Not a great solution by any means, but an alternative is replacing your unit. A 2nd alternative may be installing a point of use hot water dispenser. In case the unit is not undersized, but you still get an inadequate amount of hot water, check if the heating elements are damaged. A strong flow of warm mater can be a sign that one of the elements are no longer working. If it is, install a replacement.
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Problem 3: Leaking Gas or Electric Hot Water Heater
There is quite a long list of possible causes of a leaky water heater. The first components to check are the valve, and the plumbing connections. Make certain every single connection is tight and properly sealed. Assuming there is nothing wrong with the aforementioned parts, the problems can be related to the tank itself. Corrosion and loose-fitting heating elements may also cause serious leaking problems. Corroded tank needs a full replacement of your gas or electric hot water heater. However, loose heating elements may only need a little bit of fastening.
As mentioned, a hot water heater can be powered by electricity or gas. Always turn the power source off before you try to open, repair, or alter anything in the tank. Every water heater should come with a user manual filled with troubleshooting methods. This allows you to deal with common issues. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions or call a professional plumber to repair the problems without unnecessary risks. Whether a gas or electric hot water heater, frequently a professional is required.
The Balkan Drain and Plumbing Team
The installation, maintenance, and repair industry only makes about 0.6% of employment in the Village of Lawrence, Nassau County. It is also one of the least specialized occupations in the area, according to Data USA. Isn’t it nice to know that Balkan Plumbing has expanded its business area to cover the Village of Lawrence? Residents of Lawrence can see this as reinforcement for the trade, and rely on Balkan professionals to tackle all sorts of plumbing issues they may have. Balkan is among the most experienced plumbing company in NYC with more than 65 years of experience. Feel free to contact the Balkan Team for expert advice, and swift service any day of the week.
